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Republicans not panicking after finishing second in House races

Despite finishing second behind Democrat Nathan Schlicher in the Aug. 5 primary election, State Rep. Jesse Young is optimistic about his changes of winning in the November general election.

Young, a Republican who was appointed to fill Jan Angel’s unexpired term in the House in February, received 12,346 votes (38.1 percent) to Schlicher’s 15,262 (47.1), as of the 6:30 p.m. Aug. 6 Secretary of State results.

Schlicher, an emergency medicine doctor, served as the district’s senator in 2013 before losing to Angel in the November election.

“I didn’t expect Bill (Scheidler) to do as well as he did, but I think there is a certain tenant that a lot of people are touching,” said Young. “Maybe they don’t know that I am a brand-new incumbent. There is always going to be an anti-incumbent vote when you are in a depressed economic environment like this.”

Young said it’s a “clear victory” if he adds Scheidler’s votes to his.

“This is almost a five-point spread,” said Young. “For someone who is brand new and given all the money that my opponent had spent in his race last year and the monetary advantages he has now, a five-point spread when you add those Republican votes to mine is a huge victory. I’m pretty excited.”

Schlicher was confident about his first-place showing.

“I am thrilled with the results of the primary and honored by the support of the voters in the 26th District,” he said. “To have a 10-point lead out of a low turnout primary is a testament to the hard work of our team and the positive message we have moving forward. We look forward to November and continuing to build off of the success.”

Republican candidate Michelle Caldier was thrilled with her showing in the Aug. 5 primary election.

The political newcomer received 48.97 percent (15,957) of the 32,586 votes cast in the District 26 state representative Position 2 race against incumbent State Rep. Larry Seaquist, a Democrat. Seaquist had 16,629 votes or 51.3 percent of the vote.

Caldier, a dentist, was excited after seeing the primary election results.

“I came into the primary aiming for 48 percent of the vote and I beat that and my goal for the general is over 50 and I’m going to beat that,” said Caldier.

There was no surprise in the District 26 senate race.

Angel, the incumbent Republican state senator, posted a 13-point lead over Democratic challenger Judy Arbogast, a former teacher and ex-president of the South Kitsap Education Association.

“I want to thank our voters and my team for making this a strong primary win,” said Angel. “I am humbled. Now on to the fourth quarter.”

Angel received 18,724 (56.8) to Arbogast’s 14,196 (43.1) of the 32,920 votes.

Arbogast was satisfied with the primary results.

“We are really pleased to have done so well in such a low turnout primary that generally favors Republicans,” said Arbogast. “It just goes to show that voters already know I have the best ideas on how to get the economy back on track, solve the budget problems facing the state, improve education, and put folks back to work in the 26th District.”

District 35 results

It appears two Democrats are headed for a showdown in the District 35 state senate race. Incumbent State Sen. Tim Sheldon finished second behind Irene Bowling in the Aug. 5 primary.

Bowling edged out Sheldon by 778 votes for her first-place finish. She received 10,321 (35.4) to Sheldon’s 9,706 (33.3).

Republican Travis Couture was a close third with 9,116 (31.28) and less than 590 votes behind Sheldon.

In the District 35 race for the Position 1 seat in the House of Representatives, incumbent State Rep. Kathy Haigh posted a large lead over her two Republican challengers.

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